SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Diamondbacks are making significant strides toward their ambitious plans for a comprehensive renovation of Chase Field, aiming for a project that could total anywhere between $500 million to $1 billion. This initiative is vital, especially since the team holds its lease at Chase Field until the end of the 2027 season—a key timeframe in which they hope to secure the necessary funding.
Recently, there’s been a flicker of hope for the team’s plans following the Arizona State House’s passage of Bill HB2704. This piece of legislation would allow the state to collect a portion of the sales taxes generated by fans and visitors at the ballpark and set those funds aside specifically for improvements. The next step for the bill is to gain approval from the State Senate, and while the vote has yet to be scheduled, the momentum appears promising.
If it clears the Senate hurdle, it will then land on the desk of Governor Katie Hobbs, who has voiced her likelihood of supporting it. “I’m confident. I think it’s going to pass,” expressed team president Derrick Hall in a recent interview at Salt River Fields, the team’s spring training home. “We have a lot of support,” he added, indicating a positive outlook fueled by community backing.
However, not everything is straightforward. The situation is complicated by local politics, primarily the tensions between Phoenix, Maricopa County, and the state itself. Phoenix’s mayor, Kate Gallego, has come out publicly against the bill, emphasizing that it would divert $200 million from city funds—funds that would otherwise support vital services like police and fire departments. “The city doesn’t like to be told what to do by the state,” Hall noted, highlighting the odd alliance and rivalry existing within the Democratic Party in Arizona. Despite their shared political affiliation, the governor and the mayor find themselves at odds regarding the funding structure.
Hobbs has expressed conditional support, stipulating that a mutually agreeable arrangement must be reached among all involved parties. “I want to keep the [D-backs] here in Arizona,” she affirmed, standing by her commitment to the franchise’s future in the state.
Introduced in January by representative Jeff Weninger, HB2704 has now successfully cleared the House with a narrow 35-25 vote. The D-backs now need to rally a majority in the 30-member Senate to see their plans come to fruition.
“If we can get the city to neutral, that’s the goal,” Hall said confidently. “I think the county is coming around, but there’s still some work ahead. So far, everything is looking good.”
The proposed legislation ensures that while a portion of the 8.6% sales tax collected would go toward the city, county, and state for essential services such as education and public safety, the balance would be funneled into a dedicated fund managed by the county for ballpark refurbishments and maintenance. Hall indicated a hopeful projection where the team could access about $15 million to $20 million each year from this fund to support their renovations over the next three decades. That is contingent on an initial investment of $250 million to $300 million, most of which will come directly from the team’s coffers as outlined in the bill.
“We’re willing to invest team money,” managing general partner Ken Kendrick stated during a January interview. “Tax money isn’t the only thing going into improving the ballpark. We believe this model has some merit and we’re hoping the legislature sees it that way too.”
Chase Field, which first opened its doors in 1998, is owned by Maricopa County but operated by the Diamondbacks in a unique agreement stemming from a 2018 settlement that also placed some maintenance costs on the team. In the years since, the D-backs have invested roughly $200 million in upkeep and improvements.
Given the conditions set in the previous agreement, the Diamondbacks had the option to explore building a new stadium, but their search yielded no viable solutions, compounded by challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, they’ve opted to remain in their current location, nestled in the vibrant Legends Entertainment District near the city’s basketball arena—both essential fixtures in downtown Phoenix.
“We’re an incredible economic engine,” Hall emphasized, pointing out how crucial the ballpark is to the local economy and culture.
In recent seasons, the D-backs have made essential upgrades, including installing a cutting-edge LED lighting system and fixing their retractable roof—a critical feature that had rendered it inoperable during games. This $2 million investment is expected to wrap up by the time they kick off their season against the Chicago Cubs on March 27.
Looking forward, the first phase of the refurbishment will address critical infrastructure issues like plumbing, electrical systems, and air conditioning, while ensuring that the venue’s capacity remains at a hefty 48,519. Hall expressed that maintaining this capacity is preferable for hosting major events, such as home openers and playoffs—no doubt about it, the electric atmosphere is part of what makes being at the park special.
The overall rebuild is expected to encompass new suites, restaurants, bars, video boards, and amenities aimed at families and fans alike. “But for sure we’re going to need more premium options, comparable to what San Diego has at Petco Park or what the Braves have built at the Battery in Atlanta,” Hall acknowledged. “We’re excited about this planning phase. As soon as we get a green light on funding, we’ll dive into discussions with architects to finalize our design elements.”
Historically, the 1994 initiative to fund the original ballpark structure through a controversial quarter-cent sales tax capped at $279 million laid the groundwork for what Chase Field has become today. The D-backs absorbed the additional costs as the project ballooned to $364 million.
Following the pandemic, attendance at Diamondbacks games skyrocketed, with last year marking the highest single-season attendance increase in MLB—an additional 380,694 fans. Their revenue surged to an unprecedented $350 million, even amid a local television revenue decline. Currently, the team’s player payroll has also set a franchise record at $209.5 million.
Discussing future plans, Hall mentioned that discussions regarding extending their lease with Maricopa County beyond 2027 are pending, likely hinging on the outcome of the funding legislation. However, they have no intentions of leaving Arizona anytime soon; should they choose to relocate before 2050, the bill stipulates significant monetary penalties.
Interestingly, the D-backs have an additional financial avenue for renovation that they prefer not to utilize. In 2021, the state legislature passed a bill allowing for a theme park district that lets the team impose up to a 9% fee on ticket sales and concessions—essentially enabling them to cover a substantial percentage of construction costs for public bonds totaling up to $2 billion.
Hall expressed a preference for the current sales tax strategy instead, as exemplified by the successful renovations funded through similar means for the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals and their home at State Farm Stadium.
While there’s currently no debt tied to Chase Field, that status may change as the team moves forward with its plans. “That sales tax money alone won’t cover all our needs,” Hall acknowledged. “But it will assist us in borrowing funds quickly, which is crucial. We can’t bank solely on that revenue, but it certainly helps facilitate our plans.”
Image Source: Debby Wong / Shutterstock
